A week in review

You know this guy is not a mechanic and is a construction worker just by looking at his jack system. Construction workers like putting good studs to use whenever possible.

Last Friday, exactly 7 days ago, was the kick off to a 4 day weekend. Just a little preview the school likes to give you of what summer break will look like, minus the nice weather. After a few hours of hounding my kids to do some bare minimum jobs around the house, breaking up one too many 'disagreements', and picking up one too many empty capri sun wrappers, I loaded the brood into the suburban for some much needed time away from the casa. Carter had kicked his 4 day weekend off a little earlier than the rest due to a sore throat, cough, nasal congestion and fever keeping him home. Being a 14 year old boy with energy to burn (even when sick), he had also developed a serious case of cabin fever. At his suggestion we headed out to do a trade of the DS game he had spent the previous 2 days conquering. Getting his brothers to willingly go to a game store requires no prodding. If only they were as responsive when it came time to make their beds, pick up shoes, etc. After making our way through the 4th game store, Carter was finally able to secure an acceptable trade on the game he wanted. I rounded up the kids, prying the sample game controllers from their little palms, and herded them back to the suburban. It was almost 3:30 and I couldn't wait to get home and get ready for the date night Larry and I had planned with some neighbor couples at one of my favorite restaurants. It would be asking far too much of the day to expect the car to start. It would make the sounds of turning over but it wouldn't fire. Having far too much experience knowing about dead batteries, I knew this didn't qualify. I called Larry and he said he would be there asap, but was a good 30 minutes away. I sent the boys back in to the store to resume playing the sample games. Once again, not a hard thing to accomplish. When Larry arrived his fears were confirmed and he recognized that the fuel pump had gone out. We illegally loaded the 7 of us into the front of Larry's truck and headed for home. Larry started calling around and found out that a minimum of $750 was required to replace the fuel pump. He was able to find one at the auto supply store for closer to $300, but it was a DIY project.

We made it to our dinner date 30+ minutes late and had a fabulous time and delicious food. I almost forgot about the car troubles. Almost.

The next afternoon, Valentines Day, after a nice lunch together, Larry and I headed over to tow the suburban home. There was a white letter under the front wiper. I assumed it was a notice from the shopping center for leaving our car there too long. As it turns out, it wasn't what I though nor was it a Valentine card. It was a note letting us know our car was hit while parked and the front passenger side was damaged. Lovely. Romantic.

Satuday night the several hours of confinement in the car with the sick child take over the rest of the family. The fevers start along with coughing--which in some family members triggers vomiting. Again, lovely and romantic.

Sunday is not a day of rest. At least not for me.

Monday, I take the 3 sickliest kids to the doctor who prescribes antibiotics, collects his co-payment x 3, and sends us on our merry way. Larry stays home and works on the fuel pump.

He gets it replaced with one minor glitch, the fuel gauge now doesn't work. That's worth a $500 savings in my book.

Tuesday morning I drive our fixed suburban (gotta love that Larry) to take 2 of the 4 schoolgoing kids to school. The other 2 plus Chloe are home in their sickbeds.

Wednesday, I start antibiotics for myself and rejoice in the fact the Tatyana does not make it to the final 12 on American Idol and that Danny does.

Thursday, we all start to see the light at the end of the sickness tunnel.

That brings us back to Friday. Today. 4 kids go to school. Although we are far from being 100% better, we are far better than we were this same time last week. My sister in law Karin drops by a pan full of homemade cinnamon rolls for me to bake. Not only do we get to enjoy delectable rolls, but we also get to savor the scent of them baking! Karin is great. Let's hope this signals the start of a nice weekend.